Ross welcomes RPI Class of 2020

On behalf of the Division of Student Life, it is with great excitement that I welcome you to Rensselaer and the Class of 2020. You are joining the Rensselaer family as part of the largest freshman class in our history! We are very proud of you and the accomplishments that have brought you to RPI, and we expect you will achieve great things during your time here.

At Rensselaer, you are entering a supportive community of faculty, staff and students who will guide you and challenge you. We provide a transformative student experience for you at Rensselaer through Clustered Learning, Advocacy, and Support for Students, or CLASS, that will develop you as leaders with the ability to solve complex problems of the world using intellectual agility, multicultural sophistication, and a global perspective.

Academics are your top priority as a student. The university environment is challenging, and very different from high school. Never hesitate to ask for assistance if you need it! There are many people—the faculty teaching your class, tutors, academic advisors, and upper class students in your major who are all sources of support. The Advising and Learning Resource Center is located in Academy Hall and information can be found here: http://alac.rpi.edu.

The Dean of the First Year Experience is a primary source of information, guidance and learning for you as entering students. In addition, you will have an assistant dean of the residential commons, a resident assistant, and a team of student resident assistants who live in your residence hall and are there to provide support during your journey at Rensselaer.

We provide many resources to support student wellness, and medical professionals and counselors are available for you at the Student Health Center, located in Academy Hall. I encourage you to visit http://studenthealth.rpi.edu for more information.

Rensselaer offers a robust campus life for our students. The Rensselaer Union is a hub for campus activity and provides many opportunities for you to get involved through activities, clubs, recreation and more! Make sure to visit the Union or go to http://www.union.rpi.edu for more information! Also be sure to check out http://www.rpiathletics.com for all the latest information on Rensselaer Athletics.

Expectations for student behavior inside and outside of the classroom are outlined through policies and, as a student, it is important that you read and understand the Rensselaer Handbook for Student Rights and Responsibilities. You can access this electronically at http://doso.rpi.edu, and visit the Dean of Students if you have questions or concerns.

The university offers many, many more resources for you as students. You can find information by visiting the Student Life homepage at http://studentlife.rpi.edu.

Again, welcome to Rensselaer! As the first technological research university in the country, we have great history, tradition and pride. We are very glad you are joining our family. I look forward to meeting you at student orientation this summer and at the many welcome activities in the fall!